Landon Collins: Washington defense ‘wasn’t prepared’ for Saints’ Hail Mary

The play of the day throughout the NFL in Week 5 was Jameis Winston’s dime on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. The New Orleans Saints quarterback perfectly dropped the prayer into the hands of Marquez Callaway in the end zone over six Washington Football Team defenders.

The Saints took a 20-13 lead into halftime off the play and never looked back en route to a 33-22 win at FedEx Field just outside of Washington, DC. It was the game-defining moment. 

Just how in the world was Winston able to execute such a perfect play in that situation may lay in the lack of preparation for the moment.

It’s baffling enough six Washington defenders standing still in time as Callaway leaped without much contest to catch the pass. But the explanation of Washington safety Landon Collins makes the result of the play much worse.

“We wasn’t prepared for that” Collins said of the Hail Mary per John Keim of ESPN.

Instead, Washington was expecting the Saints to try getting to the outside to set up a last-second field goal.  

The Saints, who had no timeouts remaining, took over possession of the football following a punt with eight seconds left from Washington’s 49-yard line. Hard to imagine the Saints wanting anything other than a heave to the end zone.

Winston climbed the pocket as it collapsed off the edge and threw a dime.

Collins admitting Washington was not prepared inadvertently points back at the coaching staff, starting with defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. What’s more perplexing is head coach Ron Rivera saying the team was ready for a number of things, including the Hail Mary. 

Just from the way the play developed. Guys were trailing and far behind, which hinted at the least bit Washington was not ready for it.